Razor blade



Oct. 11, 1938. vG. CAHILL v 2,133,018

Filed sept'. 19, 1932 Patented Oct. 11, 1938 YUNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE This invention relates to razor blades and more particularly to blades of the thinl exible type adapted to be clamped within a guard-equipped holder. l

In clamping blades of this type between the curved clamping surfaces of the holder, the

blade itself is forced into a position of apprecia-k ble transversel curvature and, even though the blade be bent about a central axis or hinge,` the strain causes the cuttingV edges of the blade *to become slightly waved, Warped or otherwise dis-Y torted. A primary object of the present invention is'to provide a bladeeadapted to be clamped about the fulcrum of the holder without imposing undue stress upon the cutting edges andto relieve to a large extentthe stress upon the entire blade by providing hinge areas betweenthe longitudinal center of the blade and the cutting edges. Will -appear as the speci'cation proceeds.

rEhe invention is `fully describedin the following specificationand shownin the accompanying drawing, in which- VFig. 1 is aplan viewof the blade embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a planview of a modified form of blade embodying my invention; and Fig. 3, a plan view of another form of .blade embodying my invention. f

In the illustration given in Fig. 1, the blade is of general rectangular shape having oppositely disposed cutting edges I0 and having reducedend extensions II. The blade Vis shown with slightly rounded corners I2. through the longitudinal center of the blade and is provided with enlarged central andV end openings I4 Yadapted to receive projections on the holder by Which the blade may be centered and` accurately locked upon the holder. C ommuni-` eating with the end openings I4 are laterally f extending slots I5 which are curved outwardlyV toward the ends of the blade'. The hinge areas I6 between the ends of slots I5 4and the blade ends, beingV of less extent than the metalbetween thee'nds of slot I3 and the extensions Il, permit the blade, during the clamping operation, to bend about hinge areas I6 rather than'along theY longitudinal center of the blade. The easy yieldingV of the edge portions of the blade along the dual hinges I6 results in placing very little strain upon the cutting edges and leaves'them unaf-j fected by any stress which may be placed uponV the central and Ymore rigid portion ofthe blade.

In the illustration given in Fig. 2, the blade is provided with cutting edges I0, end extensions I I and recesses I'I adjacent the extensions II.V In' Other specific objects andY advantages e' the central portion of theblade when it is flexed.

A slot I3 extends' blade isVY used, the dual hinges intermediate the longitudinal center of the blade and the cutting this form of'blade, circular'attachment openings 'I8 are employed, althoughV it will be understood that anysuitrable form of attachment opening may be used. Laterally disposed with respect to theopenings IllV are longitudinal slots I9 rwhich are provided near their Yends with outwardly curved portions 20. The outwardly curved portions 20 lie adjacent the recesses I1 so as to provide therebetween thin flexible hinges I6. Additionalpflexibility maybe obtained by employing 10 e supplemental-"slots 2l'Ia which may be of any kdefsired number or shape.

The slots 20a make it' practical to use heavier metal in the blade with resulting better cutting edges. The operation of this formof blade is substantiallythe same as 15 that of theblade shown in' Fig; 1, the edge pore Vtions ofthe blade turning easily upon the hinges .I6 vsoas to provide straight andtrue edges which are not distorted by the vresistance exertedvupon Y'gitudinal` slot 22 extends through the central 25 c -portionof Ythe blade. Laterally disposed with re- -'speelt tothe slot 22 are interruptedslots23 which arf'outwardly-turned near their ends as indicatedfby the numeral 24. Between the end portions 24 of the slots 23 and the ends 2l of the blade are provided hinge areas I6 about which `the edge portions off the' blade may readily swing. The areas I6 being less than the areas between the ends of slots 22 and the ends of extensions II will cause the blade to turn upon 35 kthe hinge areas I6 during the clamping operation. y

While Vin the illustrations given, I have shown certain lforms of blades equipped laterally with slots or openings, it will be understood that my 40 Yinvention is applicable to other forms of blades and that'the laterally extending hinge areas may be provided by other forms of slots or openings, continuous, interrupted or spaced apart, without e departing from the principle of my invention. If

ka blade having a Vsingle cutting edge is employed, the YlateralV or intermediate hinge produces a true cutting jedge rsubstantially relieved from the stress ofthe clamping operation. Ifk a two-edged edges bring about the same beneficial result. i vThe foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations should be understood 55 therefrombut the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of Y, the prior art.

I claim:

l. A double-edged razor blade of thin metal having reduced ends extendedin line with the longitudinal center, a `positioning opening on its longitudinal center, openings adjacentrthe ends of the Vblade afg-ld about midway between the longitudinal center and each cuttingedge, said openings extending llaterally beyond said reduced ends and to provide between them and the ends of the blade hinge areas parallel with the longi-4 tudinal center ofthe blade, the distance between said openings and the adjacent. ends ofthe blade Y being'less than the distance between said positioninggopening and duced blade ends. v A.

2. A doubleedged razor blade of thin metal having reduced ends extended in line with the longitudinal center, a central attachment opening, longitudinal auxiliary slots between the center or" said blade and its cutting edges;r said slots having their ends turned at right angles so as'to the outer ends of said refextend laterally with respect to said central opening and beyond said reduced ends, said slot portions beyond said reduced ends providing between them and the ends of the blade hinge areas parallel with the longitudinal center of the blade, the distance between said slot portions and the endsof the blade being less thanthe distance between said central opening and thejgrouter ends of said reduced blade ends. 'Y v 3. A safetyrazor blade adapted to be clamped in a holder therefon and consisting of a main body portion and endgportions defnedby recesses cesses and the ends of said slot cooperating to dene narrow bands directed at right angles to said cutting edges within the longitudinal limits of said cutting edges and flexibly connecting s aid endrportion's and said spaced bladeportions.

' A safety razornblade having a central lon- 'A giltffidinal slot laterally extending atgits ends and recesses between the blade end portions and the portions spaced by said slot, andcutting edges on said spaced blade portions, the blade portions Vbetween said recesses and the lateral extension:

of YYsaid slot forming necksV extending at right angles to the longitdjdinal axis of the blade within the longitudinal limits of said cutting edges.

A safety razor blade Vhaving a central longitiidinal slot, parallel cutting edges on the blade portions spaced by said slot, end yportions of' a width less than that of the main: body of the blade, and eXible portionsformingfiarrow bands directed at right angles to said cutting edges and connecting saidv yend portions and said spaced blade portions, thepliability of said flexible portions exceeding that of said end portions.

8. A saety razor blade adapted to be clamped in a holder therefor, and consisting of a main body portion and end portions defined by recesses iiisaid blade, said main body portion .comprising two parallel edges, a longitudinal? slot for positioning vthe blade in the said holder, lateral slots atreach end ofthe body pprtion bisected by said longitudinal slot, said lateral slots extending beyond said end portions and forming flexing necks between them and the rends of the blade, the i' ilexibilitygif said lexing necks exceeding that of tige said end portions.

i GERALD CAl-ILL. 

